Alcoholic Environments and Children Development

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Summary

Our families define who we are, and the habits that we adopt from them shape our lives. Children of alcoholics may either adopt these behaviors or uniquely be influenced by the lifestyle. Families that are made up of alcoholics have specific characteristics where the children tend to model the behaviors of their alcoholic parents (Ellis et al., 1997). Research has proved that psychopathology is more susceptible amongst children who are raised by an alcoholic environment and families. Hence, children develop signs of depression and anxiety. In the long run, they begin to show signs of mental illness. Majority of the children initially exhibit no sign of depression or health problems; eventually, they start abusing drugs and other substances which elevate the risk of them having the problems.

According to Ellis et al. (1997), children who are born from a family that abuse alcohol is at a higher risk of psychopathology occurrence than the rest of the population. The problem statement is clear from the introductory part hence giving the reader an overview of the problem addressed in the entire document. The qualitative gathering of research finding from other authors has been instrumental in the study and creating a logical paper. Also, the article gives a conclusion that is useful to parents, researchers, educators, as well as the community at large. The conclusion states that there are variances between children who are brought up by non-alcoholic families and those brought up by alcoholic families. Nonetheless, there are still more opportunities for research in the assessment of the alcoholic-nonspecific risks and related outcomes.

Critique of the Article

The article has used the pathos appeal to convince the audience on the importance of the topic and the effects it might have on the families. The writers have effectively illustrated the low and high-risk families and given examples—for instance, the division of families into either alcohol-specific or alcohol non-specific. In the alcohol-specific families, the writer is clear to highlight them as families that use alcohol as a coping strategy. Alcohol non-specific families use alcohol and exhibit signs of violence and physical abuse. According to the secondary data, Johnson is confident that COA’s that have unnatural behaviors and characteristics are more likely to be from parents that exhibited high levels of alcohol consumption (Ellis et al., 1997).

The article is instrumental in the establishment of logical points that are relatable by the audience hence appealing to the logos. Children from COAs are more likely to be uneducated and may begin depicting early signs of depression which limits their cognitive abilities in educational development (Ellis et al., 1997). Also, the children may have been disadvantaged as their parents could prioritize on alcohol other than getting a quality education for their children. I agree with the writer as the evidence obtained is evident, giving further illustrations concerning the impacts alcohol may have on a typical family and eventually the children. The case is especially true for families that are alcohol non-specific. The children who continually experience violence may be susceptible to other developmental problems in their health as well as their educational capabilities. The writer has well-articulated their findings appealing to the pathos of the audience.

The article also makes instrumental use of the findings of other researchers in driving its points hence appealing to the ethos of the audience. The ethos of the audience is appealed through using research and other back-up points. Thus, individuals can relate to the research materials and create the imagery of the problem. The audience of the research materials are parents, children, as well as other individuals in society. Hence, by targeting these individuals, the recommendations given from the research can tackle society problem.

The article takes the approach of qualitative research methods and the use of secondary data. The research is instrumental in creating an analysis of two kinds of families, including the non-specific alcohol users as well as the specific alcohol users. The secondary data has proven instrumental in educating the audience and providing a broad understanding of the topic at hand. Therefore, in using an accumulation of the findings of others as well as the expounding on the problem. The audience has established sustainable solutions and recommendations useful to both the parents as well as other agents. The paper is well articulated in bringing out the problem, expounding on the problem as well as offering a solution to the problem.

Critique of Relevance

The article is relevant to the society as it gives a clear picture of what is happening to children from Alcohol abused families and the resultant effects. Through modelling the parental drinking behavior, the research has established whether the family is alcohol-specific or alcohol non-specific. The level of alcohol use can determine the risk a family is exposed to and how these risks can be controlled to reduce the negative impact that is attributed to the child.

Children are innocent being and require special handling and attention. Nonetheless, the level of upbringing varies from one child to another due to varying factors. One of the factors that hinder the natural upbringing of the child is substance and alcohol abuse. Therefore, the children are left exposed to the effects, exposing them to the risk of depression and ultimately exposing them to other mental and physical health risks. There is, therefore, the need to protect children from adverse environments that may inhibit their development, leading to failure in society and other resultant effects. The article is relevant and instrumental in the present age and trying to solve the problems that children have which have trickled down from the parents.

Personal Reflection

The article has helped me understand the risks that children are exposed to due to substance abuse by the parents and other adults around them. Previously, before reading the article, my standing on alcohol and substance abuse did not have such a broad understanding. Alcohol was another typical drug that is abused by individual who are mostly adults; thus, the effects are more prevalent in their health. I believed that individuals have the right to choose what to consume despite the impact that it may have on their health as well as their mental capabilities. Furthermore, alcohol may serve as an escape to reality which is filled with many eventualities. A day of relaxing away from the tension and dramas of life sounded like a good plan to me and others around me.

Nonetheless, the effects have proved to be significant not just to the abuser but the people around them. The innocent children who may have no control over what is consumed around them are negatively affected. In case of relapse, children are left alone unable to fend for themselves. The adults do affect the life of their children. The right to shelter, food and quality education is all compromised by the simple fact of drug abuse by the adults. The children may not be aware of their rights. Still, society should be vigilant to ensure their rights are not violated as a result of alcohol abuse by the immediate adults.

References

Ellis, D. A., Zucker, R. A., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (1997). The role of family influences in development and risk. Alcohol Health and Research World, 21(3), 218.